Claudia Balducci Details Platform for County Leadership
Hacks & Wonks
King County Executive candidate Claudia Balducci outlines her approach to the region's biggest challenges, emphasizing housing affordability, prevention-focused public safety & regional coordination. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Claudia Balducci at .
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Week in Review: June 27, 2025 - with David Kroman
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and David Kroman discuss: 👀 NYC mayoral race hints at Seattle’s? 💰 Seattle biz tax revamp? 🚔 Pursuit GPS trackers & digital billboards 📷 License plate readers proliferate in WA 🏘️ Affordable housing industry crisis As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, David Kroman at .
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Girmay Zahilay Outlines Vision for Executive Role
Hacks & Wonks
King County Executive candidate Girmay Zahilay details plans for the region's biggest challenges, including homelessness, public safety & housing affordability. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Girmay Zahilay at .
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Week in Review: June 20, 2025 - with Robert Cruickshank
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: 👑 ‘No Kings’ protests ⚕️ WA immigrants' health data shared w/ feds 🏘️ Housing First works well 🚍 Saka erases advocates, makes deal w/ Curby 🤑 RealPage ban delayed 🎒 School waitlists lifted As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank, on Bluesky at .
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Week in Review: June 6, 2025 - with Erica Barnett
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Erica Barnett discuss: 👋 Cathy Moore resigning 🗳️ Kshama Sawant running for Congress 😬 KC Assessor John Wilson won't resign despite calls 🚔 Diaz/Tompkins updates 🏳️🌈 WA State Patrol interrupts Pride flag ceremony As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, Erica Barnett, on Bluesky at and on .
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Jeanie Chunn Outlines Vision for Seattle City Council District 2
Hacks & Wonks
Jeanie Chunn, candidate for Seattle City Council District 2, shares her stance on housing affordability, public safety, transportation, and more while advocating for significant changes to the city's approach to public safety, housing, and budget priorities. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find more about Jeanie Chunn at .
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Week in Review: May 30, 2025 - with Josh Cohen
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Josh Cohen discuss: 🏳️⚧️ “Protect Our Kids” anti-trans rally & counterprotests 📉 Every Seattle elected = negative approval 🏘️ Seattle's interim missing middle housing 🤦 Essential behavioral health facilities stymied As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, Josh Cohen at .
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Eddie Lin Outlines Vision for Seattle City Council District 2
Hacks & Wonks
Eddie Lin, running for Seattle City Council in District 2, shares his stance on housing affordability, public safety, transportation, and more while emphasizing his government experience and commitment to community-driven solutions. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find Eddie Lin at .
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Week in Review: May 23, 2025 - with David Kroman
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and David Kroman discuss: 🖋️ Ferguson acts on state budget, parental bill of rights 🧊 Troubling ICE raids 🤓 Seattle Mayor race deep dive 🔔 Sara Nelson bellwether 🗳️ Other notable primary races ⛺️ Rushed Tent City 4 move As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find today’s co-host, David Kroman at .
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Jamie Fackler Outlines Vision for Seattle's District 2 Council Seat
Hacks & Wonks
Jamie Fackler, running for Seattle City Council in District 2, shares his stance on housing affordability, public safety, transportation, and more while emphasizing his opposition to corporate influence in local politics. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Bluesky at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Bluesky at and find more about Jamie Fackler at .
info_outlineToday on the show, the oft quoted Doug Trumm, Executive Director of The Urbanist, joins Crystal to discuss the widespread popular support for pedestrian only streets and protected bike lanes and bus lanes in Seattle, the precinct-level turnout results from the 2021 election, whether Bellevue will actually be ready for the business boom that it has long courted, the Washington State Supreme Court’s decision to make no decision on redistricting, and the Kshama Sawant recall election (ballots are due Tuesday, December 7th).
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available below and at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Find the host, Crystal Fincher on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Doug Trumm, at @dmtrumm. More info is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Resources
“Pedestrian Streets, Protected Bike Lanes, and Bus Lanes are Popular, NPI Poll Shows” by Natalie Bicknell Argerious from The Urbanist: https://www.theurbanist.org/2021/11/18/pedestrian-streets-protected-bike-lanes-and-bus-lanes-are-popular-npi-poll-shows/#comment-28490
“Despite Its Bluster, Bellevue Is Ill-Prepared for Amazon Boom” by Doug Trumm from The Urbanist: https://www.theurbanist.org/2021/01/15/despite-its-bluster-bellevue-is-ill-prepared-for-amazon-boom/
“WA Supreme Court decides not to get involved in redistricting” by Melissa Santos from Crosscut: https://crosscut.com/politics/2021/12/wa-supreme-court-decides-not-get-involved-redistricting
“Critics call for reform of WA redistricting process after commission failure” by Melissa Santos from Crosscut: https://crosscut.com/politics/2021/11/critics-call-reform-wa-redistricting-process-after-commission-failure
“Strong early turnout in Sawant recall with one week of voting to go” from the Capitol Hill Seattle Blog: https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2021/11/strong-early-turnout-in-sawant-recall-with-one-week-of-voting-to-go/
"Everything You Need to Know About the Sawant Recall" by Hannah Krieg from The Stranger: https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2021/11/09/62713074/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-sawant-recall
“The Recall Sawant debate” from the Capitol Hill Seattle Blog: https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2021/11/the-recall-sawant-debate/
“Nearly $1M pours in from each side in Seattle Councilmember Sawant’s recall” by Sarah Grace Taylor from The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/nearly-1m-pours-in-from-each-side-in-seattle-councilmember-sawants-recall/
Transcript:
Transcript will be uploaded as soon as possible.